Housing Transfers

Tenants residing in subsidized apartments experiencing domestic violence may have the option to transfer to a different, safe apartment while keeping their housing assistance if necessary. See below for a list of transfer options in different types of housing.

Public Housing transfers can take up to six months or longer depending on availability of a comparably sized unit in a safe location. Public housing tenants must continue to pay rent on their NYCHA apartments as they wait for their transfer, even if they are living in shelter or elsewhere. If rental arrears are collected on a NYCHA apartment, the transfer request could be denied.

If the abuser is on the lease, it may be possible to bifurcate (split) the lease to allow non-offending family members to retain their housing assistance. Read more about the bifurcation process.

Transferring families may need to move to a smaller apartment if changes to their family size make them ineligible for their current apartment size. For example, a family moved who moved in to a three bedroom apartment many years ago with four children but only has two children living there at the time of the transfer request will be asked to transfer to a two bedroom apartment.

Non-emergency Transfers: Non-emergency transfers are occasionally authorized for tenants experiencing changes to household size. Public Housing tenants should contact the NYCHA housing assistant in their development to request a transfer. Tenants may have to wait a long period of time before their transfer request is granted.

Section 8 Transfers

Transfers are available to victims of domestic violence who have tenant based Section 8 (also known as Housing Choice Vouchers) throughout New York City. When requesting a transfer, tenants must make the request with the local agency responsible for administering their Section 8 assistance. New York City has three agencies that administer Section 8: NYCHA, HPD and HCR.

HPD Section 8 Transfers: Transfers are available to victims of domestic violence who can demonstrate a safety risk in their current housing. Persons in need of a transfer should report to 100 Gold Street in Manhattan to make the request and bring any documentation of the DV they may have. If a tenant does not have documentation, HPD will ask the tenant to complete a HUD form attesting to their status as a victim. Visit HPD’s website for more information about moving with HPD Section 8 or call 917-286-4300.

HCR Section 8 Transfers: Transfers are available to victims of domestic violence who can demonstrate a safety risk in their current housing. Persons in need of a transfer should contact the Subsidy Services Bureau at 25 Beaver Street in Manhattan to make the request and bring any documentation of the DV they may have. If a tenant does not have documentation, HCR will ask the tenant to complete a HUD form attesting to their status as a victim.

The following steps should be taken to receive a Section 8 transfer. The Section 8 tenant should:

Bring documentation of domestic violence incidents to their local Section 8 office and worker

Make sure to get a receipt from the Section 8 worker verifying submittal of transfer request and documentation

Follow up and check the status of the voucher request on a regular basis

Once the request is approved the Section 8 tenant should receive a transfer voucher within 6-8 weeks. Transfer vouchers are usually valid for 4 months and the same extension request rules apply as with new vouchers. Tenants will be responsible for finding their own apartments. As of September 2013 there are no longer restrictions on which areas survivors are allowed to move but, rentals are still subject to agency approval.

Section 8 tenants should apply for an emergency transfer as quickly as possible. Section 8 tenants who vacate their apartment for safety reasons prior to making a transfer request should work with an advocate to ensure that Section 8 does not penalize the tenant for leaving the apartment.

Section 8 tenants are no longer required to have their landlord sign a “lease release” form if they are in the middle of the lease at the time of the transfer request; the agency can and will process transfer requests for tenants who are mid-lease without requiring landlord permission. However, it is advisable to negotiate with the landlord to terminate the lease early if the transfer is approved whenever possible to avoid being held responsible for the tenant share of the rent due under the remainder of the lease term.

Non-emergency Transfers: In order to meet the basic requirements for a non-emergency transfer, tenants must have lived in the current apartment beyond the initial term of their first 1-year or 2-year lease. Few non-emergency transfers are processed by Section 8. Tenants requesting a non-emergency transfer may have to wait over a year for a transfer approval.

Portability: Section 8 tenants that are interested in moving outside of New York City’s 5 boroughs, must request “portability” when requesting a transfer. “Portability” is NYCHA’s term for transferring vouchers over to another city and/or state. In addition to navigating the portability process in the NYCHA Section 8 office, the Section 8 tenant will also need to make contact and determine the portability rules and process in the area to which she/he hopes to move. The portability process usually takes approximately two months.

If the abuser is on the lease, it may be possible to bifurcate (split) the lease to allow non-offending family members to retain their housing assistance. Read more about the bifurcation process.

FHEPS Transfers

There are no official domestic violence transfer regulations for FHEPS. While FHPS was never designed to be a portable/transferrable subsidy tenants may be able to get permission to move due to domestic violence but will need approval of the state agency in charge of FHEPS (OTDA) to do so. Tenants should contact a nonprofit FHEPS preparer for their borough for assistance in requesting permission to move.

FAQs

Can you help me find an apartment?

New Destiny’s website has a section on finding affordable housing. Most affordable housing is accessed through New York City’s housing... Read more

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Having a criminal history, poor credit or poor rental history can make it more difficult to find an apartment.... Read more

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If your section 8 is scheduled to expire soon you must apply for an extension with the agency that... Read more

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If you are experiencing problems with your shelter placement or the shelter staff please follow your shelter’s grievance procedure.... Read more